March 1, 2024

Belgian Blue Limestone, or Belgian Bluestone, is known by many names, some of them quite enchanting! 

Here are just some of the alternate names we have unearthed: 

• Petit Granit (or Little Granite)
• Coal Limestone 
• Nero Belga
• Granit de Flandre
• Pierre Bleu
• Belgian Bleu
• Belgian Granite
• Belgian Limestone
• Arduin 
• Blue Belge
• Hardstone

Belgian Bluestone is a unique and highly sought-after stone mined exclusively in Belgium. With an unmistakable smokey blue hue and high levels of visible ancient fossils, corals, and calcite veins, this blue coal limestone has been a classic in design and architecture for centuries. It's also the stone that inspired the design of our new Beljn porcelain tile collection.

The 350 Million-Year-Old History of Belgian Bluestone

Three hundred and fifty million years ago, the sea covered the southern half of what is now Belgium. The period was known as the Carboniferous period, which takes its name from large underground coal deposits formed from the vegetation and large trees that grew in vast swamp forests. The climate during this period was uniformly tropical, with no distinct seasons.

How Belgian Bluestone Got it's Look

Carbon limestone (Tournaisian) with crinoids, Petit Granit (Belgium), By Lysippos - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Belgian Bluestone is considered “calcareous” (calcareous stones are composed mainly of calcium carbonate), as it was formed from layers of the calcareous material remains of underwater flora and fauna. Living organisms called crinoids (animals with limestone skeletons left behind in the seabed) were at high levels in this area. Thus, Belgian Bluestone is characterized by many gray and white fossils and the occasional calcite vein. Mainly crinoids, but also coral and shells are clearly visible in Belgian Bluestone, distinguishing it from other limestones. The more visible the fossilized marine life, the more desirable and valuable the stone! The amount of carbon the stone contains and the finish applied determines the tone of the limestone’s blue color, which ranges from a powdery blue-grey to almost black. 

Arduin Petit Granit, by Hans Erren, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This unique bluestone can only be found in one specific carbonated geological vein that runs east to west across Belgium. It has been extracted in several regions of South Belgium since the Middle Ages and is used widely in sculpture and architecture, especially in Brussels and other Belgian cities. The name “Petit Granit” is an Appellation d'Origine Locale (Local Appellation of Origin) designation since 1999. Around fifteen quarries in Belgium are active today.
 

Belgian Bluestone sculpture: Crest of Liège, dated 1592, by Jacques Renier-Jrenier, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
 

19th-century tombs in Bluestone and Carrara marble in Lokeren, Belgium, by Carolus, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Meet Our New Belgian Bluestone-Inspired Porcelain Tile Collection!

Belgian blue limestone is indeed gorgeous, and highly sought after, but for a stunning porcelain alternative, look no further than CRossville Studios. Our new Beljn porcelain tile collection evokes the history and look of Belgian Bluestone but is decidedly contemporary in color and sizing. The tile collection's five hues range from light to dark and are available in two finishes: unpolished, which features Crossville’s unique FeatherSoft Finish, and a bush-hammered style exterior finish designed for grand scale and high fashion with enhanced traction in outdoor spaces.


Beljn carbon-neutral porcelin tile in Black Iron


Beljn porcelain exterior tile with grip finish for enhanced traction outdoors

Beljn porcelain tile features white veining, coal lines, and visible fossils. Moreover, it’s a product you can feel good about because it’s carbon-neutral and made in America. Be sure to reach out to your nearest showroom to order a free sample and see this amazing new porcelain tile for yourself. Our tile pros at 27 dedicated locations are ready to assist you in exploring the latest tile trends and help you specify your tile projects with confidence. Connect with us today!